Major Harris, of R&B's Delfonics, dead at 65

Major Harris, who was a member of the Delfonics and a successful R&B solo artist, died Friday. This photo is the cover from his 1978 album "How Do You Take Your Love."

Major Harris, who was a member of the Delfonics and a successful R&B solo artist, died Friday. This photo is the cover from his 1978 album "How Do You Take Your Love." (RCA Victor)

Mikael Wood

Major Harris, a smooth-toned R&B singer whose work on his own and with the Delfonics helped popularize the so-called "Philadelphia sound," died Friday at the age of 65 in his hometown of Richmond, Va. The cause was congestive heart and lung failure, his sister told the Associated Press.

After leaving the Delfonics, Harris set out on a solo recording career; in 1975 his single "Love Won't Let Me Wait" reached No. 5 on Billboard's Hot 100. (Watch a video of Luther Vandross performing the song below.) Harris later reunited with various members of the Delfonics, performing most recently at a concert last year, according to his sister.